Romney Presses Edge After Obama Stumble

President Rallies Support as Rival Looks to Build on Debate

By

Peter Nicholas

Updated Oct. 5, 2012 12:01 a.m. ET

President Barack Obama tried to recover Thursday from a lackluster debate performance that left Democrats questioning his strategy, as Mitt Romney used his strong showing to reinvigorate a party base worried about his election prospects.

Mr. Obama's campaign advisers, who fielded a deluge of complaints Thursday from donors and supporters about the president's unexpectedly subdued debate presence, promised a midcourse...